Chapter 179
Chapter 179
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 179
Chapter Title: Demon King's Castle Escape Operation (1)
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As dawn broke over the great city of Tarac in the northwest of the Ion Continent, morning arrived.
This place was bustling enough even in the dead of night, but now that most people were awake and starting their day, the hustle and bustle was on another level compared to nighttime.
Screeech—
"Then I'll be off!"
"Aye, watch out for the carriages like always!"
And Diana, who had recently moved to Tarac, was just as busy.
Like everyone else, she hurried out of the house early in the morning.
But even in her rush, her face was full of smiles—
Everything around her was still unfamiliar since she'd only just moved here, but her current life was more than satisfying.
'This house too! It's on indefinite lease for now, but...'
The cozy little home still felt unfamiliar, but it was worlds apart from the cramped living space attached to the grocery store where five families had squeezed in together. Built recently, the facilities were spotless with nothing needing repairs.
And its location—in a safe central district—spoke for itself!
It had every factor that drove up property value, the very picture of an "expensive-looking house."
Of course she loved it.
"Oh! Good morning, Granny!"
Rushing out the door, Diana spotted her now-familiar neighbor and greeted her brightly.
At the sound of her voice, the old woman from next door, lounging on her terrace rocking chair and enjoying the breeze, turned her tattoo-covered face toward Diana with a low chuckle.
"Heh heh heh... Already off to work? So diligent every morning."
"Ehehe, I'm still learning the ropes. Chairman Hu... Hubert put his trust in me, so I can't let him down!"
"Impressive for someone so young. Heh heh..."
At first, she'd been worried about the scary-looking grandma next door, but thankfully, the woman was incredibly kind to kids despite her appearance.
She handed out snacks like a real grandma and had an endless supply of fun stories.
Thanks to her, even the initially wary kids had grown close to her.
Little Rafi aside, even shy Aaron now visited next door without hesitation.
'She said she's under Hubert Merchant Company's sponsorship too... If Uncle trusts her, she should be fine.'
Of course, after her recent betrayal, Diana found it hard to trust easily, but she couldn't live in suspicion forever. She needed to make an effort.
At least open up to those vouched for by trustworthy people.
"Well, I'll be going now!"
"Alright, be careful on the way. Though... in this neighborhood, you probably don't need to worry."
Hubert Merchant Company was now the most influential trading firm in Tarac's merchant circles, in name and fact.
From their connections to the Church and the lord's family, to their exclusive supply of unique, high-quality goods, their massive capital that scooped up talented merchants overnight, and their edge in shadowy dealings through unknown means...
Fueled by all this, they'd dominated the market in just a few years since starting. The district they lived in was squarely under their strongest influence.
Sniff sniff—
Diana's nose twitched nonstop as she walked.
A now-familiar scent wafted from all directions.
The city watch, patrolling this street heavily due to some backroom deal, and Hubert's guards posted to protect VIPs and shops.
And on top of that...
The faint, fishy tang of blood drifting subtly from shadows throughout the city.
'Never thought I'd find this smell reassuring.'
A scent that once sent her fleeing in terror now made her anxious if absent.
All the vampires around here answered to Uncle, after all.
'Come to think of it, it's amazing. Uncle's only been a vampire for about two years, right? What on earth has he been up to to pull this off?'
His subordinates blanketing Tarac now, and the smooth immigration process before—it all pointed to a position far higher than average.
Considering rumors from Thalia Kingdom too... He could pass for high nobility.
'Well, I don't need to know the details. Repaying the favor is enough.'
Diana shook off stray thoughts and hurried toward the company headquarters.
Unlike her uncle, who handled ordinary grocery deliveries, her role—thanks to Hubert's influence—was far weightier.
She inspected all goods for anomalies and managed quality control, like an auditor.
Naturally, not everyone welcomed the parachute hire...
But Hubert's authority was absolute, so they were watching her with a "let's see" attitude.
'...I'm nervous, but I have to live up to his trust somehow.'
As Diana arrived at headquarters with firm resolve,
Murmur murmur—
The area buzzed more than usual.
Along with a very welcome scent.
"Ah, Chairman! Good morning!"
"Hello, Diana. Early as always. You're so diligent."
She ran into Hubert heading to the building, just like her.
But while he responded leisurely, his direct guards around him acted differently than usual...
Unlike before, when most kept distance except a few, now they surrounded him tightly, some even eyeing approaching Diana warily.
'Huh? And this smell...'
Some even bore fresh wounds and faint blood on their weapons from recent fights.
Something had definitely happened before she arrived.
"Um, did something happen...?"
"Hm? Oh—no big deal. Just the usual periodic thing. Happens sometimes. Guys charging in with baseless confidence."
Hubert answered nonchalantly.
Already prepared thoroughly, he tilted his head at puzzled Diana and led her inside.
Even in civilized Earth with laws, business interests bred dirty tricks. In this far more barbaric world, threats were par for the course.
Preparation was common sense here, and the instigators weren't betting on instant success.
Just testing waters, intimidating to scare—routine stuff.
'Daring to target me, of all people.'
Of course, growing Hubert Merchant Company wasn't smooth sailing.
A huge chunk of profits went right back into defenses.
Without early help from Hari and friends, later Brocoslak Clan support, growth like this would've been impossible.
After Yupersh Clan's raid, even basic defenses felt inadequate, so he wrapped himself in expensive magic tools.
But as reality showed, he always won amid countless intrigues.
Inevitably.
They targeted what seemed a big firm, but the responding organization's scale was far beyond.
'Now... let's investigate who ordered this one.'
Their fate was sealed.
***
The Rohan Principality had crumbled so much "principality" barely fit.
With Empire and Church aid, they barely held a final defensive line near the capital.
Ironically, they owed even that to the Immortal King...
He'd taken the northern mountains where most monsters poured from, becoming a breakwater that slashed invading beast numbers.
Of course, believing he caused the crisis, no one was grateful.
They just thought he mocked them on another whim.
And at the crisis's heart—
The Demon King's Castle... no, Immortal Citadel, unseen by any but infamous.
Some dreamed of escape after not-short imprisonment there.
"Heron, how about today? Think we can do it?"
"Hmm, hold on... Tricky."
Azerion Empire's Fifth Princess Riley Carte Azerion and Earth newcomer awakener Hesperon, transferred less than two months ago.
Mid-magic training with barriers up, as usual.
To her cautious question, mindful of eyes, he frowned thoughtfully.
The task could start anytime; he was just dragging for drama. But days later, her patience waned.
"Sigh—I'm so nervous I can't sleep, but you look relaxed? It is possible, right?"
Irked at seeming alone in urgency,
She, who'd waited quietly, finally pouted with a sigh.
"Hey, it's not as easy as it sounds! I got captured right after transfer, know nothing about this place. No clue where we are or heading."
Precise location was essential, not optional, for spatial abilities.
Its power matched high risk—mess up, and disaster worse than not using.
"True, but... this is the continent's northern edge, so if we just head south..."
"Where's south from here?"
"...Ugh."
Low-level mages like them couldn't gauge outside directions from this separate-space Immortal Citadel.
Facing ignored reality, shadows crossed Riley's face.
"So, no way out?"
"Of course not. I have a rough sense. Just being cautious for certainty."
Renewed hope lit her face.
Extreme straits brought colorful expressions unfit for "Iron-Blooded Princess."
"...You've been too casual lately, haven't you?"
"Eh, what's wrong? We're in this together now! Let's be casual, casual! Hahaha!"
She at least pretended to listen during lessons.
Now sensing advantage, Hesperon's brazen reply drew disbelief on her face.
But he held the key to escape...
"Haa—be careful around others, please. Unlike your world, status matters here. Could be big trouble?"
She sighed, compromising.
Her sensitivity to casual speech stemmed from Earth's tales via Isea, not just authority.
New to this world, getting used to addressing a princess casually risked slips outside.
Trouble would hit him then, so train caution now...
'Whatever. He's not dumb; he'll manage outside. Though his actions make me doubt.'
Riley eyed his sly grin, mismatched with sharp looks, and sighed again.
Wondering if trusting him was wise.
But conclusion was one.
'Two months in, still shaky. Can't stay years! No chance to turn tables then.'
Do everything possible.
'Unique Skill's' prowess, proven via Isea, made it trustworthy.
Hesperon's talent surpassing hers helped too.
'...Please, let it go well.'
Days before an unforeseen continental event.
The grand escape began.